Midwest Living September/October 2012 recipes

A double dose of caramel—baked in with the fruit and drizzled on top—elevates the humble crisp to new levels of indulgence. Mix two types of apples for the best texture. The tender apples cook down and create a sort of thick sauce, while the firm apples hold their shape. Boiled cider, which you can purchase at specialty stores or online or make using our recipe, adds an extra splash of apple flavor.

Inspired by traditional Mexican mole, this hearty vegetarian chili includes a touch of chocolate to add depth. Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give a rich smokiness to this fall recipe. If you like, you can save half the chili to make Stacked Black Bean Enchilada Pie.

We used all packaged veggies (baby carrots, frozen pearl onions and jarred artichoke hearts) to make this Mediterranean-inspired roast chicken a convenient supper choice. Honey-mustard pan gravy adds to the appeal.

In less than half an hour, you be down in the Delta with this super-simple gumbo. Just simmer leftover chicken with pantry and freezer staples, then serve over rice. (Our recipe uses leftover Lemon-Thyme Roast Chicken with Artichokes and Herbed Brown Rice, but you can adapt to whatever chicken and rice you have on hand.) Adjust the spice level by choosing a mild or hot salsa.

Rise and shine! These tender gems taste so good, you’d never guess we bumped up the fiber in this fall recipe with two kinds of whole grains and traded most of the butter for applesauce and buttermilk.

Don't be scared off by the fancy-sounding name. This flavorful dish is actually perfect for easy entertaining. No stuffing required! Just roast the hens on top of the cranberry-apple dressing in a baking dish. You can find Cornish game hens in the supermarket freezer case.

Garlic, fennel, fresh herbs and white wine infuse this pork roast with flavor. If you like, set aside half the meat to make Thai-Style Pork Salad later in the week. Pimiento Corn Muffins, mashed potatoes and broccoli make perfect sides.

This colorful, ginger-spiced fruit salad makes a delightful brunch side or light dessert. Because the mix contains banana, be sure to serve immediately. For an extra treat, use half the compote to make frozen fruit cups that you can enjoy another day.